Elastic overshoe with sandwiched sole pads

Abstract

An elastic overshoe has an outer layer through which extend a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions are preferably carried on an inner layer, which is sandwiched between the outer layer and the shoe upon which the overshoe is placed. Inner layer segments can run the length of the overshoe, or more preferably include only a ball region of a toe region. The openings can have any practical size, shape, orientation and arrangement of openings, although of course at least some of the openings must be aligned with at least some of the protrusions, and ideally the protrusions will fit snugly within the openings to avoid tearing of the openings. The inner and outer layers can advantageously have different chemical compositions. The inner layer, for example, can be tougher, while the outer layer could be more stretchable.

1. An elastic overshoe for placement over a shoe, comprising:
 an elastic outer layer with a plurality of openings through at least a ball region, a heel region, and an intermediary region between the ball and heel region of the outer layer, the outer layer configured to cover at least a sole portion of the shoe; 
 an inner layer comprising a changeable ball segment and a separate changeable heel segment, each with a plurality of protrusions that extend through the plurality of openings in the ball region and heel region of the outer layer, respectively; and 
 wherein the openings through the intermediary region lack protrusions from the inner layer when the segments of the inner layer are secured within the outer layer. 
 
     
     
       2. The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is sized and dimensioned to cover both ball and heel regions of the shoe. 
     
     
       3. The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer has a resting length, and is elastically stretchable to at least 1.2 times its resting length. 
     
     
       4. The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of openings are curved. 
     
     
       5. The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of openings are sized differently from others of the plurality of openings. 
     
     
       6. The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of openings are shaped differently from others of the plurality of openings. 
     
     
       7. The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of openings are positioned in a side wall of the outer layer. 
     
     
       8. The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of openings are positioned in a back wall of the outer layer. 
     
     
       9. The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer has a thickness of between 2 and 8 mm, inclusive. 
     
     
       10. The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings numbers at least ten. 
     
     
       11. The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer segments are removable from the outer layer without damaging either of the layers. 
     
     
       12. The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer has a ball region, an intermediate region, and a heel region, and the protrusions do not extend through the ball region. 
     
     
       13. The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer has a ball region, an intermediate region, and a heel region, and the protrusions do not extend through the heel region. 
     
     
       14. The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the protrusions comprise a slip resistant material. 
     
     
       15. The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein the inner and outer layers have different chemical compositions. 
     
     
       16. The overshoe of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the ball and heel segments comprise metal protrusions.